Unbeaten Spalding tops McDonogh in OT

Cavs earn 4th straight 1-0 girls soccer win over Eagles

Fall sports

October 06, 2006|By Glenn Graham | Glenn Graham,Sun reporter

Much like the entire game for Archbishop Spalding's top-ranked girls soccer team, the space that was available for senior forward Molly Schaefer in the second overtime was limited last night against a young and tireless McDonogh team.

Schaefer's left-footed shot from 15 yards found the top left corner with 6:39 remaining in the extra time, sending the Cavaliers to a 1-0 win over the visiting Eagles.

It's the fourth straight time Spalding has come away with a 1-0 win over McDonogh, and it kept the Cavaliers perfect this season at 12-0 and 5-0 in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference. The No. 4 Eagles, who controlled play for most of the second half as well as both overtime sessions, fell to 8-3-2 overall and 5-2-1 in league play.

Schaefer provided the Cavaliers with a big sigh of relief, getting back her own shot that was deflected by a teammate before making good on the second try.

After a back-and-forth first half, the Eagles got to the ball first and stayed organized in the back to keep the Cavaliers' potent offense in check. The visitors' best chance came in the first 10-minute overtime when senior Caroline Spearman's header off a corner kick skimmed off the top crossbar.

Despite the loss and continued frustration in the consecutive 1-0 setbacks against the Cavaliers, including a loss in last year's playoffs, McDonogh coach Maurice Boylan said his group grew up some more last night.

"The second half and overtime, we had the better of the play - we were beating them to every ball," said Boylan, who starts five sophomores and one freshman. "We're young and our girls will learn from it. And I told them, `Look, unlike last year, this is not finality.' Only the score indicated they were the better team, and Spalding has a great team."

Spalding junior goalie Karen Blocker finished with five saves to record the shutout. She stopped a point-blank chance from the left side by McDonogh sophomore Eboney Hutt midway through the second half.

No. 13 Severna Park 1, Meade 0 -- Sean Bunoski scored the game-winner at the 22-minute mark of the second half to lift the Falcons (9-0) over the visiting Mustangs.

Field hockey

No. 2 South River 13, Northeast 0 -- Melissa Bierley had three goals to power the host Seahawks (8-1) past the Eagles.

Arundel 2, No. 10 Chesapeake-AA 1 -- Amanda Medeiros scored the game-winner two minutes into overtime as the host Wildcats (8-2) upset the Cougars (4-6). Katelyn Randes had a goal and an assist and Kara Zimmerman made 23 saves. Arundel led 1-0 before Chesapeake tied the score with a minute left.

Severn 3, No. 12 St. Paul's 2 -- Lainey Rosson scored the game-winner with 9 1/2 minutes left in the game as the visiting Admirals (7-4-1) upset the Gators (4-4). Severn led 1-0 at the half before Marisa Schuler scored twice to give St. Paul's a 2-1 lead. Severn scored twice in the closing 16 minutes.